Record Detail

Performance in cycling events is strongly de-pendent on aerodynamic drag due to the high proportion of resistance that it contributes. The drag of individual cy-clists has been shown to vary with riding posture and the drag of cyclists travelling in close proximity will vary as a function of separation distance. However, the influence of riding posture and the interplay between cyclists in a team is a complex problem that is not well understood. This study aims to develop a better understanding of the aero-dynamic drag interactions between cyclists riding in a team as a function of their riding position. A team of four ath-letes was tested in the Monash University Wind Tunnel using a bespoke force balance that can measure drag on all four athletes simultaneously. Compared to an individual rider, the four riders in a team experienced mean drag savings of 5, 45, 55 and 57 % in positions 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the team, respectively. The results of individual athlete tests were shown to be a good indicator of drag response when applied in a team environment. Strong aerodynamic interactions were observed between the riders in a pursuit team. However, these varied significantly and appear to be unique functions of individual athlete body shape. Given the small winning margins at the elite level, a detailed understanding of the interactions between riders will de-liver a performance edge. However, it appears necessary to
test the actual athletes in situ to fully optimise performance as general trends were not consistent.